New Delhi, Dec 28: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, on Saturday, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to derail key welfare schemes introduced by the Delhi government. These include monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,100 for women and free healthcare for senior citizens.

Addressing a press conference, he claimed that investigations have been initiated against these schemes under BJP’s directives to obstruct their implementation.

Kejriwal questioned the rationale behind the investigations, asserting that these initiatives were part of AAP’s poll promises. “What is there to investigate? These are our commitments to the people, which BJP now wants to halt under the guise of inquiries,” he stated.

He alleged that BJP, in collaboration with Congress, is working to undermine AAP’s governance. “When BJP lacked the courage, they used Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit to lodge complaints with the Lieutenant Governor,” Kejriwal said.

He assured the people of Delhi that he would ensure the continuation of these schemes, urging residents to register for the benefits.

The Delhi government had recently launched two major welfare initiatives – Rs 2,100 per month for women under the Mahila Samman Yojana and free healthcare for the elderly under the Sanjeevani Yojana. Kejriwal said there is an overwhelming response for these schemes, with lakhs of people registering in a short span of time, which he said had left the BJP “frustrated.”

According to Kejriwal, the BJP’s primary agenda in Delhi is to block the implementation of these welfare measures. “If you vote for BJP, they will stop benefits like free bus travel for women, free electricity, and water,” he warned.

He also alleged that BJP would prevent the rollout of the Sanjeevani Yojana, depriving the elderly of free medical care.

Kejriwal said that a lot of people living in Delhi, particularly from the low-income group, are sustaining on these welfare facilities, including free electricity, water, quality schools, and healthcare. “If BJP comes to power, these essential services will be withdrawn, forcing many poor families to leave the city,” he cautioned.

Recalling previous challenges in implementing initiatives like free bus travel and the construction of quality government schools, Kejriwal said his government overcame all obstacles. “We fought for free electricity, water, and education, and we will fight to implement these new schemes as well,” he declared.

Chennai: The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Saturday formed a fact-finding committee to probe the alleged sexual assault of a 19-year-old student at Chennai’s Anna University. The committee was constituted on the directions of NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar.

The fact-finding committee will comprise Mamta Kumari and former Maharashtra DGP Praveen Dixit, reported News 18. The NCW panel will meet authorities, the survivor and her family. The committee members are likely to visit Chennai on Monday, December 30.

Meanwhile, the Madras high court on Saturday ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the incident. The bench of justices SM Subramaniam and V Lakshminarayan also directed the Tamil Nadu government to pay an interim compensation of ₹Rs 25 lakh to the survivor for the serious lapse on the part of the police in revealing her details in the first information report (FIR), reported Bar and Bench.

Notably, the FIR was reportedly published on the website of the state police. The court also asked the police to provide protection to the survivor and her family. The girl is a student of an engineering college.

The incident took place on Monday, December 23 when the girl was sitting with her male friend. The accused was identified as 37-year-old Gnanasekaran. He is a resident of the Kottur area near the college and is reportedly a biryani vendor. He was arrested on December 25. The accused also filmed the case and threatened her.

The girl’s male friend was allegedly thrashed by the accused.

Opposition parties in the state – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the AIADMK – hit out at the ruling DMK party over the incident. The saffron party alleged that the accused was an officer-bearer of the DMK. As per the police, Gnanasekaran is a “history-sheeter”.

Tamil Nadu’s Higher Education Minister Govi Chezhian slammed the Opposition for staging protests against the state government. He alleged that opposition parties were politicising the incident. Chezhian asked female students to ‘Kaaval Uthavi’ app so that they contact the police immediately when in need.

Hitting out at Opposition parties for targeting the DMK government over the incident, case, the minister said, “Those who want to politicise this incident in which an individual student was victimised should note that in the Pollachi sexual assault incident during the previous regime, the victims were afraid to even file a complaint with the police due to pressure from the then ruling government,” the minister said in his X post.

He also assured that the culprits would be brought to justice very soon.

Imphal, Dec 28: At least four persons including a TV Journalist and a security personnel were injured after suspected militants fired in Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi villages in Imphal East district on Saturday, officials said.

A police official said that the militants fired indiscriminately at Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi villages from the hilltop injuring a local TV Journalist, a security personnel and two civilians.

TV Journalist L. Kabichandra sustained bullet injuries on his left thigh.

All the injured were rushed to the hospital.

“The militants fired in the Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi villages on Friday night and Saturday morning. These villages are situated in Imphal East district adjoining tribal inhabited Kangpokpi district,” the official said.

Additional security forces led by senior police officials have rushed to the areas and launched search operations to nab the militants.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Saturday strongly condemned the indiscriminate firing by militants in Thamnapokpi and Sanasabi areas.

Singh, in a post on X, said, “Strongly condemn the indiscriminate firing by Kuki militants at Sanasabi and Thamnapokpi in Imphal East, which injured civilians and security personnel.

This cowardly and unprovoked attack on innocent lives is an assault on peace and harmony.

Adequate security personnel have been rushed to the affected areas. The injured are receiving necessary medical assistance, and the government calls for calm and unity in the face of such challenges.”

Central forces and state police should have proper coordination and understanding when dealing with such situations, the chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, search operations and area domination were conducted by the Central and state security forces in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts.

Movement of vehicles carrying essential items, food grains and transport fuel along the two vital National Highways — NH-37 and NH-2 — has been ensured with adequate security.

Strict security measures are taken up in all vulnerable locations and security convoys are provided in sensitive stretches in order to ensure free and safe movement of the vehicles.

In a separate incident, seven acres of illegal poppy cultivation were destroyed by a combined team of security forces and forest department officials at T. Lhanghoimol areas in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on Friday.